In a significant leadership shift for Indian cricket, the waves of transition that have affected other formats finally impacted One-Day Internationals on Saturday, October 4. Shubman Gill was named the new captain of the ODI side, replacing the veteran Rohit Sharma, just ahead of the three-match series in Australia, which starts in Perth on October 19.
Indian cricket’s ODI leadership transition: Shubman Gill to Rohit Sharma
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar, during a press briefing in Ahmedabad, clarified that the decision to entrust the Test captain with the ODI role was a strategic move with the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in sight. He also emphasized the logistical difficulty, stating, “it’s practically impossible to have three different captains for three formats.” Gill’s new deputy will be Shreyas Iyer. This leadership pair will lead the squad in the immediate future, which includes six more ODIs against the visiting South African and New Zealand teams over the next three months.
The outgoing skipper, 38-year-old Rohit, leaves behind a stellar captaincy record, having guided India to the Champions Trophy victory in March 2025 and the final of the World Cup 2023 at home. Under his command, India won 42 of the 56 ODIs he captained, during which time he also maintained an impressive batting average of 59.42. Despite the change in leadership, Rohit has been retained in the 50-over squad as a specialist batter, alongside fellow stalwart Virat Kohli, who will soon turn 37.
3 big reasons why Shubman Gill is the right successor to Rohit Sharma in ODIs for India
1. Stats and individual dominance
Gill’s ascent to captaincy is built on a foundation of elite statistical performance, showcasing his ability to deliver consistent and high-impact innings in the 50-over format.
- Elite Batting Average: Gill maintains an outstanding ODI batting average of approximately 59.04, placing him among the best in contemporary cricket. This statistic demonstrates his consistency and knack for compiling big scores.
- Rapid Milestones and High Strike Rate: He is the fastest player to reach 2000 ODI runs (in 38 innings) and has a career ODI strike rate of approximately 99.57. This is crucial for a modern opener, ensuring the team gets off to a brisk start.
- Big Scores and Record-Breaking Feats: His record includes 8 centuries and 15 half-centuries in just 55 innings, including a double century (208 against New Zealand) at the age of 23, making him the youngest male cricketer to achieve this feat.
2. Performance and leadership experience
While his ODI captaincy journey is just beginning, his overall performance, recent form, and leadership experience in other high-pressure environments provide strong justification.
- Consistency Across Conditions (as Batter): He has been a consistent run-scorer for India, particularly dominant in home conditions (averaging over 62). His performance as the vice-captain in recent successful ICC tournaments (Champions Trophy 2025) confirms his importance to the team’s core.
- Leadership Track Record in Other Formats: Gill has already taken over as India’s Test captain and led the team to a hard-fought 2-2 draw in England, where he was also the series’ highest run-scorer. He has also captained the Gujarat Titans in the IPL and led the Indian T20 team on a tour of Zimbabwe, winning 4 out of 5 matches.
- Leading by Example: His ability to perform consistently with the bat while handling the pressures of captaincy, as seen in the Test format, suggests he can successfully transition this ‘lead from the front’ mentality to the ODI side.
3. Vision and future planning
The appointment of Gill as India’s new captain is a forward-thinking, strategic decision aimed at shaping the next era of Indian cricket. The selectors have clearly prioritized long-term stability and leadership continuity, laying the foundation for sustained success over the coming years.
- World Cup 2027 focus: At just 25, Gill’s leadership provides India with a three-year window to prepare a youthful, cohesive unit for the 2027 ODI World Cup, ensuring that the transition is smooth and well-structured.
- Transitional phase management: Rohit, who now features only in the ODI format, will be 40 years old by the time the 2027 World Cup arrives, a factor that has influenced the selectors’ planning. While his leadership and batting experience remain invaluable, the focus has shifted toward grooming Gill to lead the next generation under the mentorship of these veterans.
- Potential all-format captain: Gill’s growing presence as captain in both Tests and ODIs positions him as India’s most likely future all-format leader. This consistency in leadership across formats is expected to foster unity, clarity of direction, and a stronger team culture crucial attributes for India’s long-term cricketing roadmap.
